The AFC has grown muddled. Our NFL Week 11 recap looks at the two key matchups — Ravens vs. Steelers and Chiefs vs. Bills — and how the outcomes may have changed the perception that the conference Super Bowl representative will be KC, Buffalo, or Baltimore.
Pittsburgh plans to intervene.
Steelers 18 – Ravens 16
Pittsburgh is not secretive about its strategy. They rely on a strong and aggressive defense. Their offense limits mistakes and controls the clock. And they rarely make mental errors. The Steelers’ style is built for the cold weather and the playoffs.
Pittsburgh held the ball for 36 minutes and 22 seconds in the 18-16 win over Baltimore, keeping it out of Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry’s hands. When Baltimore (7-4) had the ball, Pittsburgh (8-2) smothered them. Jackson had 207 yards passing and 46 yards rushing. Henry carried 13 times for 65 yards.
The Steelers achieved their best-case scenario.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin changed quarterbacks after Week 6. Some questioned the move. However, Justin Fields does not provide the threat of the deep ball that Russell Wilson does. Wilson opens the running game and lets Pittsburgh control the action more effectively.
In the AFC North, Pittsburgh is 1.5 games ahead of Baltimore. Their bye week is not until Week 14 and in the next three games, they have two against Cleveland bracketing a game in Cincinnati.
Pittsburgh may lock up the division by the second week of December.
Losses to Kansas City and Pittsburgh have not helped Baltimore’s image of wilting in big games. Their road is significantly harder if they need to play a Wild Card game. And it might even be on the road.
Bills 30 – Chiefs 21
Buffalo (9-2) handed Kansas City (9-1) its first loss. The Bills sit one game behind KC for the all-important one-seed in the AFC. Buffalo’s win gives them the tie-breaker based on head-to-head in-season matchups if they and KC have identical records at season’s end.
Patrick Mahomes played reasonably well but threw another two interceptions and Josh Allen outplayed him. It was Allen’s late-game touchdown scramble that sealed Buffalo’s victory.
Running was not as big a part of Allen’s game in college at Wyoming as it has been in the NFL. But with Buffalo, it has become an integral attribute of his game. Opposing defenses must go beyond awareness and outright prepare for it.
Disappointment aside, losing is not the worst thing for the Chiefs. They still have the best record in the NFL. It alleviates the pressure and unnecessary distractions that accompany closing in on an undefeated season.
NFL Recap Week 11: Pittsburgh Might Crash the Playoff Party
While the AFC will likely be decided by Kansas City vs Buffalo in the playoffs, Pittsburgh’s strong showing suggests they plan to say something about it. Again, Kansas City showed vulnerabilities that could get them picked off in the playoffs and ruin their chance for a Super Bowl three-peat.
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